Speaking haltingly and bravely, former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, 42, demanded that Congress act now to protect our nation’s children from being gunned down by assault weapons.

With Sandy Hook In Mind, Giffords Demands More Gun Control

Helped to the podium by her husband, former astronaut Mike Kelly, Giffords delivered a short, powerful speech, even though her speaking ability was somewhat limited as she continues to recover from her near-fatal head injury.

“Speaking is difficult but I need to say something important,” Giffords addressed the committee. “Violence is a big problem. Too many children are dying. Too many children.”

Giffords’ speech was extremely moving — the fact that she overcame her injuries and limitations spoke just as loudly as her impactful words.

“We must do something. It will be hard, but the time is now,” she said.

Giffords: “You Must Act” Against Gun Violence

The former congresswoman also made sure to point out that the safety of our children is far more important than political party lines: “This is an important conversation for our children, for our communities, for Democrats and Republicans.”

As we continue to try to figure out a way to ensure our safety and our families’ safety, one statement from Giffords was especially powerful — “You must act. Be bold, be courageous. Americans are counting on you.”

If anyone can speak strongly and honestly against gun violence, it’s Gabby Giffords. In 2011, Giffords was caught in the crossfire when a shooter opened fire in a Tucson, Ariz. shopping mall, where she sustained a gunshot to her head. Six people were killed in that shooting, including a nine year-old girl, Christina Taylor Green.

Next up, Gabby Giffords will head to the White House to speak personally about gun control with President Obama.

– Andrew Gruttadaro

More Sandy Hook News:

1. Policeman To Dying Child At Sandy Hook: ‘Your Parents Love You’
2. Sandy Hook Dad, Whose Son, 6, Killed In Massacre, Heckled By Gun Activists
3. President Obama To Sandy Hook Victims: I Will Reduce Gun Violence

Two years after former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords was shot in the head by gunman Jared Lee Loughner, she sat down for an exclusive interview with ABC News’ Diane Sawyer, during which she and her husband, astronaut Mark Kelly, announced that they’ve grown fed up with Congress’ lack of urgency for gun control reform, and are forming a political action committee to urge for the changes they find necessary.

On Jan. 8, Gabby and Mark spoke with Diane and announced that they were forming Americans For Responsible Solutions, a common-sense consensus led by gun owners. (Gabby and Mark both own guns.) Their hope is to drive Congress to action on issues of mental health, high-capacity gun magazines, and background checks when it comes to the process of gaining possession of a gun.

When Diane says that the NRA will only rebut that people can find guns illegally, regardless of regulations, Mark replied, “I don’t agree with that. The gun lobby even opposes a gun purchaser being checked against the terrorist watch list. I mean, doesn’t that seem like a common sense thing to do?”

The Happiest & Hardest Parts Of Gabby Giffords’ Life, Currently

Diane asked the couple what the happiest part of lives was at this moment? “Family,” Gabby replied. When asked about the hardest part, Gabby struggled to articulate it, but it was the fact that her injury has affected her sight, making it difficult to see on her right side.

She and her husband admit that the next hurdle they hope to cross is the ability for the two of them to have a quick back-and-forth conversation. At this point in Gabby’s recovery, there is still difficulty in turning thought into speech.

Gabby’s recovery has been nothing short of heroic, and we hope she and Mark are successful with their campaign in Congress.

Watch Gabby and Mark’s full interview below!

ABC News

– Billy Nilles

More Gabby Giffords News:

1. ‘The Protestor’ Named TIME Magazine’s Person Of The Year
2. Gabby Giffords Opens Up About Her Emotional Recovery: ‘I Will Get Stronger. I Will Return.’
3. Gabrielle Giffords Smiling In New Pics! She Looks Amazing!

Jared Loughner, the man who shot Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, killing six people in the process and injuring 13 more, was sentenced to six life sentences plus 140 more years on Nov. 8.

Diagnosed as having schizophrenia, Jared plead “guilty” in August, according to TMZ.

Gabrielle’s husband Mark Kelly addressed Jared in court today, saying, “You may have put a bullet through her head, but you have not put a dent in her spirit, and her ability to do good.” The two were present for Jared’s sentencing.

On Jan. 8, 2011 Jared opened fire in a Safeway parking lot, where Gabrielle was holding a constituents meeting. Since the shooting, Gabrielle has only regained fifty perfect of her vision, her speech is impaired, but overall she has made a remarkable recovery.

Jared will not get the death penalty.

What do YOU think, HollywoodLifers? Is the punishment fair?

— Chris Rogers

Follow
@ChrisRogers86
More Gabby Giffords News:

1. ‘The Protestor’ Named TIME Magazine’s Person Of The Year
2. Gabby Giffords Opens Up About Her Emotional Recovery: ‘I Will Get Stronger. I Will Return.’
3. Gabrielle Giffords Smiling In New Pics! She Looks Amazing!

On Nov. 8, former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords will face the man who shot her in the head, as Jared Lee Loughner stands trial for the crime he committed back in Jan. 2011. Jared pleaded guilty to the shooting that left six people dead, and he has organized a deal that ensures he will not get the death penalty.

Gabby was one of the 19 people Jared shot when he open fired in a Tucson, Ariz., supermarket last year, and she has since had a very long road to recovery. After spending several months in a hospital, she was moved to a recovery center. She only has 50 percent of vision in her eyes, and her speech is impaired, but overall she has made a remarkable recovery.

Jared, a diagnosed schizophrenic, is expected to be sentenced to life without parole, a sentence which Gabby and her husband Mark Kelly are “satisfied” with, according to a statement from Mark.

Hopefully this sentencing will bring justice and peace to the victims of Jared’s crime.

What do YOU think, HollywoodLifers? Is life without parole an acceptable sentence?

– Eleanore Hutch

More Gabby Giffords News:

1. ‘The Protestor’ Named TIME Magazine’s Person Of The Year
2. Gabby Giffords Opens Up About Her Emotional Recovery: ‘I Will Get Stronger. I Will Return.’
3. Gabrielle Giffords Smiling In New Pics! She Looks Amazing!

Gabrielle Giffords opened the final night of the Democratic National Convention, Sept. 6, leading everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance — and she did it all by heart! She truly is an inspiration for everyone!

Gabby surprised the entire convention when she walked onto the stage, accompanied by her good friend Florida Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and placed her right hand over her heart.

Debbie only had to give her the first word, “I,” before Gabby took command. Tripping only over the word “indivisible,” she ended with a rousing “and justice for all.”

When she finished, the arena erupted into cheers of “Gabby! Gabby!” as anyone with a heart and soul wiped tears from their eyes.

Gabby has come an unbelievably long way since being shot in the head in January 2011 at an event for her constituents in Tuscon, Arizona. Her recovery is remarkable!

Everyone across America was moved by Gabby’s performance — Democrats and Republicans alike. Politics didn’t factor at all into the response of her emotional and inspirational pledge.

Did you catch Gabby leading the Pledge of Allegiance? What did you think Hollywoodlifers? If you haven’t seen it, watch it below! Be sure to have a few tissues (or the whole box) nearby!

– Emily Morgan

Jared Lougher is doing everything he can to avoid getting the death penalty. He shot and killed six people and injured 13 more in Tucson, AZ on Jan. 8, 2011, which includes former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords The judge ruled he was “mentally competent” and now he’s changed his plea to “guilty.”

Jared was originally charged with 49 criminal counts including first-degree murder but on Aug. 7 he on plead guilty to 19 counts, attempted assassination, 1st degree murder of two federal employees, and attempted murder of two federal employees.

This means that he will most likely avoid the death penalty but he will be sentenced to life in prison.

— Chloe Melas

Gabrielle Giffords broke the not unexpected news that she would not run again for her seat in the House of Representatives on Jan. 22nd.

She told her constituents that after suffering a life-threatening gunshot wound to her brain, she would need to focus on her recovery.

So it was a poignant moment when the 41-year-old sat in the Capitol Building for President Obama‘s State of the Union address — the last that she would attend in person.

The President not surprisingly headed straight to Giffords when he entered the building and wrapped her in his arms for an extended hug, as if he was giving her a hug from the millions of Americans who have wished her well.

Good luck brave Gabby!

– Bonnie Fuller

More Gabrielle:

1. Gabrielle Giffords Vows To Return To Congress
2. Gabrielle Giffords Returns To Congress — We’re So Glad To See Her Looking Healthy!
3. Gabrielle Giffords Smiling In New Pics! She Looks Amazing!

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This inspirational woman is planning to focus on her continued recovery after being shot — we wish her the best!

Gabrielle Giffords‘ miraculous recovery from being shot on Jan. 8, 2011 has captivated the nation. On Jan. 22, she announced that she would continue focusing on her health by stepping down from her Arizona seat in the House of Representatives.

Gabrielle, 41, posted a video to her official website informing her supporters of the news.

“Arizona is my home, always will be,” she says. “A lot has happened over the past year. We cannot change that. But I know on the issues we fought for we can change things for the better. Jobs, border security, veterans. We can do so much more by working together. I don’t remember much from that horrible day, but I will never forget the trust you placed in me to be your voice. Thank you for your prayers and for giving me time to recover. I have more work to do on my recovery so to do what is best for Arizona I will step down this week. I’m getting better. Every day, my spirit is high. I will return and we will work together for Arizona and this great country. Thank you very much.”

Gabrielle will submit a formal letter of resignation this week, CNN reports.

We wish Gabrielle the best in her amazing recovery!

– William Earl

More Gabrielle:

1. Gabrielle Giffords Vows To Return To Congress
2. Gabrielle Giffords Returns To Congress — We’re So Glad To See Her Looking Healthy!
3. Gabrielle Giffords Smiling In New Pics! She Looks Amazing!